a major contribution to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major contribution to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you are discussing an action or idea that has created an important change in a situation, or that has had a big impact on results. For example, "His work has been a major contribution to the team's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have made a major contribution to my success".

The Guardian - Sport

Also the aggregate gradation has a major contribution to rutting.

Construction and Building Materials

None the less, the film is a major contribution to our understanding of the western genre.

The Guardian

Dr. Fisher made a major contribution to medicine and to the quality of life.

The New York Times

We endorsed Mrs. Clinton, and we know that she has a major contribution to make.

The New York Times

Refugees have traditionally made a major contribution to the Australian economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many would argue community-controlled housing associations have made a major contribution to Glasgow's regeneration.

The Guardian

"Independent schools make a major contribution to the country economically and it's important to emphasise that.

The Guardian

Katz, in a major contribution to the lingo, calls these changes "phonograph effects".

The New Yorker

"Some member states have already made a major contribution to [refugee] resettlement efforts.

The Guardian

"This is a major contribution to what they know about themselves".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a major contribution to", ensure you clearly specify what the contribution is and what it impacts. This adds clarity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a major contribution to" when the actual impact is minor or unsubstantiated. Overstating the contribution weakens your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major contribution to" functions as a noun phrase that describes something that has significantly added to or influenced a particular field, area, or outcome. This is supported by Ludwig and its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major contribution to" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that effectively highlights the significance of a contribution. As affirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, ensure the impact is genuinely significant to maintain credibility. Consider using alternative phrases like "a significant addition to" or "played a vital role in" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant addition to

This phrase replaces "contribution" with "addition", emphasizing the act of adding something important.

a key factor in

This alternative shifts the focus to the importance of something as a contributing element.

played a vital role in

This phrase emphasizes the importance of the contribution by using the word "vital".

made a substantial impact on

This phrase focuses on the effect rather than the act of contributing.

was instrumental in

This alternative highlights the helpful and important nature of the contribution.

greatly enhanced

This phrase focuses on the positive change brought about by the contribution.

significantly improved

Similar to "greatly enhanced", but specifically emphasizes improvement.

a driving force behind

This phrase indicates that something was a primary motivator or cause.

a cornerstone of

This emphasizes that something is a fundamental and essential part.

advanced significantly

This shows the forward momentum of something because of the contribution.

FAQs

How can I use "a major contribution to" in a sentence?

Use "a major contribution to" to highlight a significant impact or influence. For example, "Her research was a major contribution to the field of medicine."

What are some alternatives to using "a major contribution to"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant addition to", "played a vital role in", or "made a substantial impact on" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "major contribution in" or "major contribution to"?

"Major contribution to" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Major contribution in" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "a major contribution to" and "a minor contribution to"?

"A major contribution to" indicates a significant and impactful contribution, while "a minor contribution to" suggests a smaller, less noticeable impact.